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But fans and celebrities flocked to offer the pregnant star support, with Pointless host Richard Osman tweeting: "It was a good line, delivered with charm, and I’m certain it was taken in that way. If you get in any trouble you can stand behind me."

Another follower wrote: "At a non BBC event you can say what you bloody well like. It was funny."

A third said: "Don't dum down Steph, just be aware that for a brief fleeting moment you were standing up as a fully formed woman and you spoke for all of us."

While a fourth told her: "Always was a fan. Adore you now Northern girly swots RULE."